Late double sends Rebels into FA Trophy third round

Slough Town booked their place in the Third Round of the FA Trophy with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Didcot Town, scoring twice in the closing stages to settle a competitive Second Round tie at Loop Meadow Stadium.

With the match seemingly heading towards a penalty shoot-out, Luke Holness broke the deadlock in the 87th minute before Shay Spencer added a second in the 90th minute to secure the Rebels' progression.

The result was a reward for Slough's persistence against a Didcot side enjoying an excellent season in Southern League Division One Central. The Railwaymen arrived at the tie top of their division, with a one-point advantage after 16 matches, and having already negotiated four rounds of the competition.

Slough, meanwhile, were looking to build on last weekend's 3-1 home victory over Walton & Hersham, their first home league win of the campaign, as Steve McKimm continued his work following his appointment as manager.

There was one change to the starting XI from that victory, with Elijah Oladunjoye coming into the side in place of Terell Thomas, who was away on international duty.

The Rebels made a positive start and registered the first attempt of the afternoon when Johnny Goddard fired wide from distance.

A corner then caused a scramble inside the Didcot penalty area before the hosts eventually managed to clear their lines, while Oladunjoye was proving an effective outlet down the left.

A strong burst of pace from the defender in the 13th minute created another opening, as he found Luke Holness inside the penalty area, but the striker's subsequent effort was blocked.

Slough came particularly close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute following an inventive corner routine. Joe Morrison rose to meet the delivery with a header, which Toby Byron then struck towards goal, but his effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

Didcot gradually began to find their feet and threatened through Reuben Harry, who was presented with a good opportunity in the 30th minute. However, his effort struck the side netting, with the hosts unable to make the most of their first-half opening.

The visitors enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure, with several corners and some dangerous attacking runs from Dennon Lewis, although Didcot continued to defend resolutely.

Another Oladunjoye delivery caused problems for the home goalkeeper in the 33rd minute. His long throw appeared to strike the top of the crossbar, with Didcot fortunate to escape.

Holness then saw a low ball across the face of goal claimed by the goalkeeper as Slough continued to search for an opening. Didcot remained dangerous on the counter-attack, however, and the sides went into the interval with nothing between them.

The hosts started the second half brightly and Jenson Wright forced Killian Barrett into a save with an early effort.

Slough looked to respond through a counter-attack down the left, with Lewis again involved before Holness sent an effort off target.

Didcot continued to pose a threat and produced another good opportunity in the 57th minute. A well-delivered ball into the penalty area found John Paul Nyuysemo, whose effort forced Barrett into an excellent save.

At the other end, Oladunjoye delivered a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but there was nobody in an amber shirt able to apply the finishing touch.

With the match still goalless, McKimm made his first change in the 67th minute, introducing Jared Myers in place of Goddard.

Myers was quickly involved, finding Holness inside the penalty area, but the forward's effort struck the side netting.

Lochlan Colquhoun was cautioned for Didcot in the 70th minute, before Jaiden Drakes-Thomas replaced Kyle Brooks two minutes later.

The Railwaymen continued to threaten from set-pieces, and one particularly dangerous corner in the 74th minute resulted in a header being directed away from goal by a teammate. Had it been allowed to travel towards the target, it could have presented a significant opportunity for the hosts.

Slough made their third substitution in the 75th minute, with Saikou Janneh replacing Lewis. Didcot also made changes, bringing on Leo Cole for Connor Barrett in the 76th minute, before the hosts' top scorer Owen James replaced Harry eight minutes later.

The Rebels came close to creating another opening through the combination of Holness and Myers, with the latter heading over the crossbar, although the effort was subsequently ruled out for offside.

As the contest entered its closing stages, a penalty shoot-out appeared increasingly likely, but Slough were determined to find a winner in normal time.

Myers came agonisingly close to providing it in the 83rd minute. The forward unleashed an excellent effort from distance which looked destined for the net, only for the Didcot goalkeeper to produce an outstanding save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar.

It proved to be a crucial moment, but Slough would not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 87th minute.

Oladunjoye delivered a long throw into the Didcot penalty area, with the ball eventually coming back out to the defender. Showing excellent quality with his second delivery, he sent the ball back into the danger area, where Holness rose to direct a superb header into the bottom-right corner.

The Rebels had the lead they had been searching for, but there was still time to make absolutely certain of progression.

And they did exactly that in stoppage time.

Janneh picked out Myers on the right-hand side, and the forward produced an excellent pass towards the edge of the penalty area. Shay Spencer was perfectly positioned to receive it and showed composure to guide a low finish into the bottom corner, doubling Slough's advantage.

The second goal effectively settled the tie, with the Rebels seeing out the remaining moments to secure a deserved victory and their place in the FA Trophy Third Round.

It was a disciplined and ultimately rewarding afternoon for McKimm's side, who had to be patient against a Didcot team that demonstrated why they are currently leading their division. The hosts created opportunities of their own, particularly after the interval, but Slough's persistence and quality in the closing stages proved decisive.

Oladunjoye's contribution was particularly important, providing the delivery for the opening goal, while Holness and Spencer supplied the finishing touches to send the Rebels through.

The draw for the Third Round takes place on Monday at 3.15pm and will be broadcast live on talkSPORT 2.